Inline air handler system and associated method of use

ABSTRACT

An inline air handler system and associated method of use is disclosed. This includes a member, at least one sensor operatively attached to the member, at least one ultraviolet light operatively attached to the member, at least one electronic input device, at least one electronic output device, a control unit, which includes a processor, that is electronically in communication with the at least one sensor, the at least one ultraviolet light, the at least one electronic input device and the at least one electronic output device, a water purification mechanism that includes an ultraviolet radiation chamber to allow water to flow between the inlet and the outlet through the ultraviolet radiation chamber and the ultraviolet radiation chamber can be positioned adjacent to at least one ultraviolet light. The air filtration unit and the member are positioned in a chamber located within a heating, ventilation, evaporative cooling and/or air conditioning system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, there has been a desire to determine what was present inthe air within a building produced by a heating, ventilation and airconditioning (“HVAC”) system. This includes, but is not limited to,bio-toxins, bacteria, spores, viruses, flammable vapors, carbon monoxide(CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), NOx (which is a generic term for the variousoxides produced during combustion), radon, and smoke. It was alsodesirable to ascertain the air temperature and the humidity. Thisrequired a number of individual sensors positioned within the premises.Each sensor utilized a separate electronic control system and there isno coordination and control of this information. Therefore, to monitor anumber of factors is a very costly proposition. Also, depending on wherethe sensor was positioned could provide starkly different results.

Another problem is that biohazards are present in the air as well as inthe drinking water. A significant issue is that viral or bacterialtoxins can be recirculated within a building with an HVAC system so thateventually everyone working or living within the premises is eventuallyaffected. Also, bacteria or viruses can be in the water supplyregardless of the quality of the water supplied by the processing plantsince bacteria and viruses can be introduced through the plumbing.

Yet another problem is that the filtration currently utilized withexisting HVAC systems do not provide any indication as to when they areblocked or no longer working effectively.

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect of this invention, an inline air handler system isdisclosed. This includes a member, at least one sensor operativelyattached to the member, at least one ultraviolet light operativelyattached to the member, at least one electronic input device, at leastone electronic output device, a control unit, which includes aprocessor, that is electronically in communication with the at least onesensor, the at least one ultraviolet light, the at least one electronicinput device and the at least one electronic output device, and an airfiltration unit positioned adjacent to the at least one sensor and theat least one ultraviolet light, wherein the air filtration unit and themember are positioned in a chamber located within an air system selectedfrom the group consisting of a heating system, a ventilation system, anevaporative cooling system and an air conditioning system, andcombinations thereof.

In another aspect of this invention, an air filtration unit isdisclosed. The air filtration unit is selected from the group consistingof paper, fibrous, foam, electronic, passive electrostatic, activeelectrostatic and ionic types of filters.

Still another aspect of this invention is that at least one sensor isdisclosed. The at least one sensor is selected from the group consistingof a humidity sensor, a bio-toxin sensor, a bacteria sensor, a sporesensor, a virus sensor, a flammable vapor sensor, a carbon monoxidesensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a NOx sensor, a radon sensor, a smokedetector, a static pressure sensor, a vacuum sensor, a volumetric flowsensor and a temperature sensor.

Another aspect of this invention is that a water purification mechanismis disclosed. The water purification mechanism includes an inlet, anultraviolet radiation chamber, and an outlet, wherein the inlet isconnected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamber andthe outlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultravioletradiation chamber to allow water to flow between the inlet and theoutlet through the ultraviolet radiation chamber, wherein theultraviolet radiation chamber is positioned adjacent to the at least oneultraviolet light.

In another aspect of this invention, an ultraviolet radiation chambercan be a transparent jacket with the at least one ultraviolet lightlocated within the transparent jacket.

Yet another aspect of this invention, an ultraviolet radiation chamberincludes a first manifold connected between the inlet and theultraviolet radiation chamber and a second manifold connected betweenthe ultraviolet radiation chamber and the outlet.

It is an aspect of this invention to receive output through an outputdevice selected from the group consisting of an electronic display andaudible alarm, wherein the electronic display is in electroniccommunication with the control unit in a group consisting of wired,portable and/or wireless communication.

Still another aspect of this invention is to provide input through aninput device selected from the group consisting at least one pushbutton,voice recognition, an electronic thermostat, a television set interface,a security alarm display, a global computer network enabled appliance,telephone, personal digital assistant, home control interface and aWireless Application Protocol (WAP) enabled device.

It is another aspect of this invention to provide electroniccommunication from a control unit to an input device and an outputdevice through a network.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide electroniccommunication from a control unit to an input device and an outputdevice through wireless communication.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a network selectedfrom the group consisting of a local area network or a wide area networkand a network communication architecture selected from the groupconsisting of point-to-point, star, mesh or star-mesh utilizingprotocols selected from the group consisting of proprietary, Internet,contention, polled or derivatives thereof.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to position the atleast one sensor within the air filtration unit where preferably, butnot necessarily, the at least one sensor utilizes nanotechnology.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, an inline air handlersystem is disclosed. The inline air handler system includes a member, atleast one sensor operatively attached to the member, at least oneultraviolet light operatively attached to the member, at least oneelectronic input device, at least one electronic output device, acontrol unit, which includes a processor, that is electronically incommunication with the at least one sensor, the at least one ultravioletlight, the at least one electronic input device and the at least oneelectronic output device, a water purification mechanism that includesan inlet, an ultraviolet radiation chamber, and an outlet, wherein theinlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiationchamber and the outlet is connected in fluid relationship to theultraviolet radiation chamber to allow water to flow between the inletand the outlet through the ultraviolet radiation chamber, wherein theultraviolet radiation chamber is positioned adjacent to the at least oneultraviolet light, and an air filtration unit positioned adjacent to theat least one sensor and the at least one ultraviolet light, wherein theair filtration unit and the member are positioned in a chamber locatedwithin an air system selected from the group consisting of a heatingsystem, a ventilation system, an evaporative cooling system and an airconditioning system, and combinations thereof.

Still yet other aspect of the present invention, a method for utilizingan inline air handler system is disclosed. This method includesutilizing at least one sensor operatively attached to a member,utilizing at least one ultraviolet light operatively attached to themember, providing input through at least one electronic input device,filtering air through an air filtration unit positioned adjacent to theat least one sensor and the at least one ultraviolet light, wherein theair filtration unit and the member are positioned in a chamber locatedwithin an air system selected from the group consisting of a heatingsystem, a ventilation system, an evaporative cooling system and an airconditioning system, and combinations thereof, and receiving output withat least one electronic output device, wherein a control unit, whichincludes a processor, is electronically in communication with the atleast one sensor, the at least one ultraviolet light, the at least oneelectronic input device and the at least one electronic output device.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a method for utilizingan inline air handler system is disclosed. This method includesutilizing at least one sensor operatively attached to a member, whereinthe at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of ahumidity sensor, a bio-toxin sensor, a bacteria sensor, a spore sensor,a virus sensor, a flammable vapor sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, acarbon dioxide sensor, a NOx sensor, a radon sensor, a smoke detector, astatic pressure sensor, a vacuum sensor, a volumetric flow sensor and atemperature sensor, utilizing at least one ultraviolet light operativelyattached to the member, providing input through at least one electronicinput device, filtering air through an air filtration unit positionedadjacent to the at least one sensor and the at least one ultravioletlight, wherein the air filtration unit and the member are positioned ina chamber located within an air system selected from the groupconsisting of a heating system, a ventilation system, an evaporativecooling system and an air conditioning system, and combinations thereof,and the air filtration unit is selected from the group consisting ofpaper, fibrous, foam, electronic, passive electrostatic, activeelectrostatic and ionic types of filters, receiving output from at leastone electronic output device, wherein a control unit, which includes aprocessor, is electronically in communication with the at least onesensor, the at least one ultraviolet light, the at least one electronicinput device and the at least one electronic output device, andfiltering water through a water purification mechanism that includes aninlet, an ultraviolet radiation chamber, and an outlet, wherein theinlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiationchamber and the outlet is connected in fluid relationship to theultraviolet radiation chamber thereby allowing water to flow between theinlet and the outlet through the ultraviolet radiation chamber, whereinthe ultraviolet radiation chamber is positioned adjacent to the at leastone ultraviolet light.

These are merely some of the innumerable aspects of the presentinvention and should not be deemed an all-inclusive listing of theinnumerable aspects associated with the present invention. These andother aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in lightof the following disclosure and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may bemade to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away, schematic view of an inline air handler system inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is an isolated perspective view of the ultraviolet, filtrationand sensing mechanism with associated control unit for the inline airhandler system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is an isolated perspective view of a first alternativeembodiment of the ultraviolet, filtration and sensing mechanism withassociated control unit for the inline air handler system in accordancewith the present invention with a combination air filtration and sensingmechanism;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an ultraviolet, filtration andsensing mechanism of FIG. 2 associated with the inline air handlersystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top of an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes mountedon a flexible circuit board;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a preferred water filtration unitutilizing an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes mounted on aflexible circuit board in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a water filtrationunit utilizing a jacket surrounding an ultraviolet light in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a general schematic of a building with various components ofthe inline air handler system in accordance with the present invention;and

FIG. 8 is a general schematic of a wired and/or wired networkinterconnecting with at least one input device, at least one outputdevice and at least one the control unit for an inline air handlersystem in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have notbeen described in detail so as to obscure the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, a preferredheating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system that can beutilized for the inline air handler system of the present invention isgenerally indicated by numeral 10. The initial component is the returnair plenum 12 for receiving air into the HVAC system 10. A plenum is aseparate space provided for air circulation within the HVAC system 10.The return air then passes into a chamber 14. The chamber 14 is locatedon the intake of the HVAC system 10 and is designed to filter and sensethe air prior to any interaction with other components of the HVACsystem 10 in accordance with the present invention. However, thisInvention is equally applicable to separate systems for heating,ventilation, evaporative cooling and air conditioning, as well as anycombination thereof.

The air then enters a driven air chamber 16 that preferably, but notnecessarily, includes an air propulsion mechanism 18, e.g.,motor-blower. The air propulsion mechanism 18 is a means for moving air.The air propulsion mechanism 18 moves air from the return air plenum 12through the HVAC system 10 and back into the building or premises. Theair then comes off the air propulsion mechanism 18 and passes into aheating chamber 20. The heating chamber 20 preferably, but notnecessarily, includes a gas-fired heating unit 22 that is utilized toheat indoor air. An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of agas-fired heating unit 22 and an air propulsion mechanism 18 aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,508, which issued to Niknejad et al. onJul. 30, 1985, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The airpropulsion mechanism 18 is not necessarily a fan-type unit and can be afanless device that utilizes particle acceleration such as that producedunder the trademark KRONOS™, by Kronos Advanced Technologies, Inc.,having a place of business at 464 Common Street, Suite 301, Belmont,Mass. 02478-2570.

Air from the heating chamber 20 then passes into a cooling chamber 24.The cooling chamber 24 preferably, but not necessarily, includes anevaporator coil 26. The evaporator coil 26 provides cooling for airconditioning. The evaporator coil 26 can also provide heating whenutilized in conjunction with a heat pump system (not shown). Anillustrative, but nonlimiting, example of an evaporator coil 26 isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,035, which issued to McNamara et al. onJun. 29, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

There is an auxiliary heating chamber 28 when the heat pump system isutilized. Preferably, but not necessarily, this includes resistiveheating elements 30. An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example ofresistive heating elements 30 include that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,901,566, which issued to Macosko et al. on May 11, 1999, which ishereby incorporated by reference. The air then flows out of the HVACsystem 10 through a supply plenum 32. The direction of the air flow isindicated by an arrow 34.

Referring now to FIG. 2 a, the HVAC system 10 is again shown with theair flow, indicated by arrow 34, going into the return air plenum 12.Within the chamber 14 is an ultraviolet, filtration and sensingmechanism of the present invention that is generally indicated bynumeral 36. The ultraviolet, filtration and sensing mechanism 36 may bea unitary structure or consist of separate, discrete components.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 a and 3, the ultraviolet, filtration andsensing mechanism 36 includes an air filtration unit 38. This airfiltration unit 38 can include virtually any type of air filter,including, but not limited to, a traditional air filter made of paper,fiber, foam, and so forth. This traditional air filter is preferably,but not necessarily, in the form of a mat. The air filtration unit 38can be electronic, passive electrostatic, active electrostatic, ionicand other types of electrical or electronic air filtration. The airfiltration unit 38 can be either a disposable or a reusable filtrationtype of device.

The ultraviolet, filtration and sensing mechanism 36 preferably includesat least one ultraviolet light 40 to provide germicidal action in theflowing air supply to destroy organisms. Preferably, but notnecessarily, there is an upper reflective shield 42 and a lowerreflective shield 44 to keep dust and debris off of the ultravioletlight 40. Typically, the ultraviolet light 40 is housed in a tube 46,e.g., glass tube. This is just an illustrative example and a widevariety of protective coatings or enclosures will suffice. Anillustrative, but nonlimiting, example of an ultraviolet light forkilling germs in an air flow is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,680,028,which issued to Harris on Jan. 20, 2004, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

As shown in FIGS. 2 a and 3, there is at least one sensor that isgenerally indicated by numeral 48. The at least one sensor 48, e.g.,plurality of sensors, can include any of a wide variety of sensorsincluding, but not limited to, humidity, bio-toxins, bacteria, spores,viruses, flammable vapors, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂),NOx (which is a generic term for the various oxides produced duringcombustion), radon, smoke, temperature, static pressure, volumetric flowor vacuum as illustrative examples. Preferably, but not necessarily, aplurality of sensors 48 can be arranged in a spaced relationship forminga pack and is operatively attached to a member 50 such as a frame. Anillustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a pressure sensor to providean indication when the filtration unit is not working effectively isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,997, which issued to Rhodes on Aug. 27,1991, which is hereby incorporated by reference and is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,772,732, which issued to James et al. on Jun. 30, 1998, whichalso is hereby incorporated by reference.

An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of sensors that detecttemperature, humidity, gaseous and particulate pollution levels isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,801, which issued to Sewell et al. onJul. 2, 1996, which is hereby incorporated by reference and U.S. Pat.No. 5,428,964, which issued to Lobdell, on Jul. 4, 1995, which also ishereby incorporated by reference.

Preferably, the at least one sensor 48 utilizes nanotechnology.Nanotechnology is a branch of engineering that deals with the design andmanufacture of extremely small electronic and mechanical devices builtat the molecular level of matter. An illustrative, but nonlimitingexample, of this type of nanotechnology sensor, e.g., oxygen sensor, isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,518, which issued to Yadav, et al. onMay 27, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Electrically connected to the at least one sensor 48 and the at leastone ultraviolet light 40 is a control unit 52. The control unit 52preferably includes a processor. A processor referred to herein can be asingle processor or a whole series of processors and any variant of aprocessor such as a computer or a programmable logic controller.

Referring now to FIG. 2 b, a first alternative embodiment of the HVACsystem 200 is again shown with the air flow, indicated by arrow 34,going into the return air plenum 12. Within the chamber 14 is anultraviolet, filtration and sensing mechanism of the present inventionthat is generally indicated by numeral 202. The ultraviolet, filtrationand sensing mechanism 202 includes a combination air filtration unit 38and at least one sensor that is generally indicated by numeral 48. Theat least one sensor 48, e.g., plurality of sensors, can include any of awide variety of sensors including, but not limited to, humidity,bio-toxins, bacteria, spores, viruses, flammable vapors, carbon monoxide(CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), NOx (which is a generic term for the variousoxides produced during combustion), radon, smoke, temperature, staticpressure, volumetric flow or vacuum as illustrative examples. Thiscombination unit may optionally include at least one ultraviolet light40 to provide germicidal action in the flowing air supply to destroyorganisms. Preferably, but not necessarily, there is an upper reflectiveshield 42 and a lower reflective shield 44 to keep dust and debris offof the ultraviolet light 40. Typically, the ultraviolet light 40 ishoused in a tube 46, e.g., glass tube. This is just an illustrativeexample and a wide variety of protective coatings or enclosures willsuffice. Preferably, the at least one sensor utilizes nanotechnology andis positioned within the air filtration unit 38. Nanotechnology is abranch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture ofextremely small electronic and mechanical devices built at the molecularlevel of matter. An illustrative, but nonlimiting example, of this typeof nanotechnology sensor, e.g., oxygen sensor, is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,569,518, which issued to Yadav, et al. on May 27, 2003, which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The air filtration unit 38 can include virtually any type of air filter,including, but not limited to, a traditional air filter made of paper,fiber, foam, and so forth. This traditional air filter is preferably,but not necessarily, in the form of a mat. The air filtration unit 38can be electronic, passive electrostatic, active electrostatic, ionicand other types of electrical or electronic air filtration. The airfiltration unit 38 can be either a disposable or a reusable filtrationtype of device.

The ultraviolet, filtration and sensing mechanism 36 preferably includesat least one ultraviolet light 40 to provide germicidal action in theflowing air supply to destroy organisms. Preferably, but notnecessarily, there is an upper reflective shield 42 and a lowerreflective shield 44 to keep dust and debris off of the ultravioletlight 40.

Electrically connected to the at least one sensor 48 and the at leastone ultraviolet light 40 is a control unit 52. The control unit 52preferably includes a processor. A processor referred to herein can be asingle processor or a whole series of processors and any variant of aprocessor such as a computer or a programmable logic controller.

Also, in the preferred embodiment, the ultraviolet, filtration andsensing mechanism 36 is able to transmit sensor data and receivecommands through a network. In the preferred embodiment, this networkwould be a wireless communication network. Therefore, the control unit52 also preferably includes wireless communication mechanism. Anillustrative, but nonlimiting example, of this type of wirelesscommunication technology is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,838, whichissued to Abraham et al. on Mar. 18, 2003, which is hereby incorporatedby reference. However, a dedicated wired network or power line carriercommunication network is also possible.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the transmission of sensor data and receivecommands can be accomplished through a computer network 300. Preferably,the computer network is local in nature such as a local area network(LAN). However, a wide area network (WAN) and other types of computernetworks are possible. When using a LAN networking environment, thecontrol unit 52 is connected to the LAN through a network interface oradapter. When using a WAN networking environment, the control unit 52typically includes a modem or other means for establishingcommunications over the WAN, such as a global computer network e.g., theInternet. The WAN network permits communication to other points orsystems with a more comprehensive computer network. The computer networkis capable of communicating in a wide variety of methods including, butnot limited to, point-to-point, star, mesh or star-mesh architecture.The protocols utilized can include, but are not limited to, proprietary,Internet, contention and polled protocols and their derivatives.

Preferably, the at least one ultraviolet light 40 can also be used topurify drinking water. As shown in FIG. 5, a preferred embodiment forthe water purification mechanism utilizing ultraviolet light isgenerally indicated by numeral 80. Referring now to FIG. 4, the at leastone ultraviolet light 40 is in the form of an ultraviolet diode array54. The individual ultraviolet diodes in the ultraviolet diode array 54are indicated by numeral 56. The ultraviolet diode array is preferably,but not necessarily attached to a flexible circuit board 92. Ultravioletlight emitting diodes are preferred over traditional florescent lightingfor a variety of reasons. One reason is that a standard florescentultraviolet light tube has an average life of 5,000 to 7,000 hours,while an ultraviolet light emitting diode has an average life of 100,000hours. As such, the use of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 56 infiltration and sanitizing systems will have a huge impact on the cost ofmaintenance for such systems by altering the replacement cycle fromapproximately once every nine (9) months to once every fifteen (15)years.

Referring again to FIG. 5, there is a plumbing inlet that is generallyindicated by numeral 82. There is a first manifold 84 that connects afirst portion 85 of an ultraviolet radiation chamber 86 to the plumbinginlet 82. Preferably, the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86 is made oftransparent material such as, but not limited to glass, plastic, andcomposites. The ultraviolet radiation chamber 86 is positioned adjacent,and preferably encircled by, the ultraviolet diode array 54 mounted onthe flexible circuit board 92 for providing germicidal action on thewater passing through the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86 to kill bothbacteria and viruses. However, the ultraviolet diode array 54 may bepositioned internally within the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86.

This ultraviolet light source is totally flexible in its design so thatthere is an injection of light from the outside of the ultravioletradiation chamber 86 to the inside of the ultraviolet radiation chamber86. The ultraviolet radiation chamber 86 includes a second portion 87that is connected to a second manifold 88. The second manifold 88 isconnected to a plumbing outlet 90. The plumbing inlet 82 and theplumbing outlet 90 can include any type of plumbing or piping that canbe utilized in a building or premises utilizing all of the wide varietyof materials that can be used therewith. The first manifold 84 and thesecond manifold 88 provide a transition mechanism between theultraviolet radiation chamber 86 and the plumbing inlet 82 and theplumbing outlet 90, respectively. This type of ultraviolet sanitation islow cost, low maintenance and uses very little electrical power.

An additional feature of utilizing ultraviolet light emitting diodes 56is that their output can be focused using optical light guidingencapsulation technologies during manufacturing which pinpoints all oftheir output into the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86. This technique,unlike traditional florescent tube designs, provides a higher level ofpenetration of ultraviolet radiation through the use of focused beamtechnology.

An additional flexibility in the design of the ultraviolet radiationchamber 86 is the ability to mold the ultraviolet light emitting diodes56 directly into the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86. It would includethe molding of the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 56 directly intothe surface of the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86 and making them anintegral part of the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86 and can includethe flexible circuit board 92 as associated connectors (not shown) aswell. This method would integrate the ultraviolet light emitting diodes56 to the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86 so that ultraviolet lightwould fully penetrate the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86. This methodwould provide the best overall penetration of the ultraviolet radiationinto the ultraviolet radiation chamber 86 and the water being purifiedbut does make maintenance of the array of ultraviolet light emittingdiodes 56 more difficult in that it would require replacing the entireultraviolet radiation chamber 86 when the ultraviolet light emittingdiodes 56 eventually failed.

A light emitting diode 56 when utilized as the at least one ultravioletlight 40 would have applicability for both water and air. For example,light emitting diodes 56 would have applicability in items like waterfilters, air filtration and air movement systems like central airconditioning systems, window air conditioning systems, cloths dryers,automotive air conditioning systems, pond filtration systems, coolingtowers for chillers (where costly algaecides and bacterial preventionchemicals must be used), public and private swimming pool filtrationsystems, water parks, amusement centers, drinking fountains, chilledwater dispensers, under-the-counter filtration units, refrigerator waterdispensers and ice makers, among numerous other air and waterpurification applications.

One source for ultraviolet light emitting diodes 56 would include III-Ntechnology, Inc. An illustrative, but nonlimiting example of ultravioletlight emitting diodes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,396, whichissued to Barror on Jul. 20, 2004, which is hereby incorporated byreference and in U.S. Patent Application No. 20040075065, which waspublished for Spivak on Apr. 22, 2004, which also is hereby incorporatedby reference.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of a waterpurification mechanism is indicated by numeral 58. This includes ajacket 66 that is capable of receiving water from an inlet 62. The waterthen enters a first manifold 64 so that is can pass around the outsideof the at least one ultra violet light 40 through a jacket 66. From thejacket 66, the water exits through a second manifold 68. The water thenleaves the second manifold 68 through an outlet 70. The jacket 66 isconnected at each end to the first manifold 64 and the second manifold68, respectively. Preferably, the first manifold 64, the jacket 66 andthe second manifold 68 and are made of transparent material such asglass, plastic, composites and other types of transparent material. Aswater enters the inlet 62, as indicated by a first arrow 72, the waterpasses into the first manifold 64 and then flows through the jacket 66as indicated by second arrow 76 and third arrow 78, respectively. As thewater is flowing through the jacket 66, the light from the at least oneultraviolet light 40 radiates the water for germicidal purposes to killbacteria and viruses in the water. The water then enters the secondmanifold 68 and passes out the outlet 70 as indicated by a fourth arrow79. Preferably, but not necessarily, the water is already purifiedthrough filtration before the water enters the inlet 62. The jacket 66is preferably enclosed by material to keep the ultraviolet radiationfrom leaving the jacket 66. An illustrative material for enclosing thejacket 66 is preferably metal, e.g., stainless steel. This is preferredsince the ultraviolet light 40 can be harmful to the human eye.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an illustrative building or premises utilizingthe invention of the present invention is generally indicated by numeral100. In the upper portion 110 of the building or premises 100, the airflows into the return air plenum 12 and then passes into theultraviolet, filtration and sensing mechanism 36 and then out of thesupply plenum 32. Preferably, the ultraviolet, filtration and sensingmechanism 36 includes the ultraviolet water purification mechanism 80which are both connected in wireless communication through the controlunit 52 to an electronic display with an input device and an outputdevice 101, e.g., radio frequency, wireless thermostat. The ultravioletwater purification mechanism 80 receives water from the plumbing inlet82 and dispenses germicidally cleansed water through the plumbing outlet90.

In the lower portion 112 of the building or premises with a lesspreferred embodiment, the air flows into the return air plenum 112 andthen passes into the ultraviolet, filtration and sensing mechanism 36and then out of a dual air supply plenum 132. The ultraviolet,filtration and sensing mechanism 36 is separate from the ultravioletwater purification mechanism 80. The ultraviolet, filtration and sensingmechanism 36 through the control unit 52 is electrically connected by afirst electrical conductor 106 to an electronic display with an inputdevice and an output device 101, e.g., wired thermostat 104. The wiredthermostat 104 is electrically connected by a second electricalconductor 108 to the ultraviolet water purification mechanism 58. Theultraviolet water purification mechanism 58 receives water from theplumbing inlet 182 and dispenses germicidally cleansed water from theplumbing outlet 190.

Although thermostats 102 and 104 are illustrated, virtually any type ofelectronic output device 103 and electronic input device 108 willsuffice, as shown in FIG. 8. Preferably, but not necessarily, theelectronic output device 103 includes an electronic display. Although aliquid crystal diode display is preferred for the electronic display, acathode ray tube, a plasma screen and virtually any other type ofelectronic display will suffice. The electronic display can be hardwired, portable or in wireless connection with the control unit 52 andany combination thereof.

The electronic output device 103 can also include an alarm to detectabnormal operating conditions or failures on part of the subsystems thatcan be visual or audible or both visual and audible. The alarm can beboth local or over a computer network 300. If the alarm is over acomputer network 300 then nodes on the computer network 300 will be ableto visually or audibly indicate the alarm condition through controlledsystems, subsystems and processes. Use of a wide area network, WAN, willpermit safety and lower level alarm conditions to reach nodes that canprovide an emergency response, monitoring services, owners, operators,repair and servicing organizations, and so forth. In premise nodes, suchas that found on a local area network, LAN, the electronic display andinput/output device can include, in addition to a thermostat 102 and104, appliances, messaging terminals, personal computers, televisions,auxiliary smoke and fire monitors and alarm mechanisms, and so forth.

An electronic input device 108 can include any type of pushbutton entrysystem including, but not limited to, a keyboard, voice recognition, andso forth. This can include, but is not limited to, a television setinterface, security alarm display, global computer network enabledappliance, e.g., web appliance, telephone, personal digital assistant(“PDA”), home control interface and a wide variety of devices that useWireless Application Protocol (“WAP”). WAP is a secure specificationthat allows users to access information instantly via handheld wirelessdevices. The electronic input device 108 can provide input to operatevarious components within an HVAC system 10, as shown in FIG. 1, such asthe driven air chamber 16, e.g., an air propulsion mechanism 18, aheating chamber 20, e.g., a gas-fired heating unit 22, a cooling chamber24, e.g., an evaporator coil 26, and an auxiliary heating chamber 28,e.g., resistive heating elements 30. Also, these same components and/orsubsystems can be monitored and with the status displayed on theelectronic output device 103.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention and the method ofusing the same has been described in the foregoing specification withconsiderable detail, it is to be understood that modifications may bemade to the invention which do not exceed the scope of the appendedclaims and modified forms of the present invention performed by othersskilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be consideredinfringements of this invention when those modified forms fall withinthe claimed scope of this invention.

1. An inline air handler system comprising: a member; at least onesensor operatively attached to the member; at least one ultravioletlight operatively attached to the member; at least one electronic inputdevice; at least one electronic output device; a control unit, whichincludes a processor, that is electronically in communication with theat least one sensor, the at least one ultraviolet light, the at leastone electronic input device and the at least one electronic outputdevice; and an air filtration unit positioned adjacent to the at leastone sensor and the at least one ultraviolet light, wherein the airfiltration unit and the member are positioned in a chamber locatedwithin an air system selected from the group consisting of a heatingsystem, a ventilation system, an evaporative cooling system and an airconditioning system, and combinations thereof.
 2. The inline air handlersystem as set forth in claim 1, wherein the air system includes a returnair plenum and a supply air plenum with the chamber located between thereturn air plenum and the supply air plenum.
 3. The inline air handlersystem as set forth in claim 1, wherein the air system includes a returnair plenum, a driven air chamber, a heating chamber, a cooling chamberand a supply air plenum with the chamber located between the return airplenum and the driven air chamber.
 4. The inline air handler system asset forth in claim 3, wherein the driven air chamber includes an airpropulsion mechanism, the heating chamber includes a gas-fired heatingunit, and the cooling chamber includes an evaporator coil.
 5. The inlineair handler system as set forth in claim 3, further includes anauxiliary heating chamber with resistive heating elements, which islocated between the evaporator coil and the supply air plenum.
 6. Theinline air handler system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at leastone sensor includes at least one humidity sensor.
 7. The inline airhandler system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensorincludes at least one biological sensor.
 8. The inline air handlersystem as set forth in claim 7, wherein the at least one biologicalsensor is selected from the group consisting of a bio-toxin sensor, abacteria sensor, a spore sensor and a virus sensor.
 9. The inline airhandler system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensorincludes at least one air sensor.
 10. The inline air handler system asset forth in claim 9, wherein the at least one air sensor is selectedfrom the group consisting of a flammable vapor sensor, a carbon monoxidesensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a NOx sensor, a radon sensor and asmoke detector.
 11. The inline air handler system as set forth in claim1, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one air flowsensor.
 12. The inline air handler system as set forth in claim 11,wherein the at least one air flow sensor is from the group consisting ofa static pressure sensor, a vacuum sensor and a volumetric flow sensor.13. The inline air handler system as set forth in claim 1, wherein theat least one sensor includes at least one temperature sensor.
 14. Theinline air handler system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the airfiltration unit is selected from the group consisting of paper, fibrous,foam, electronic, passive electrostatic, active electrostatic and ionictypes of filters.
 15. The inline air handler system as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the at least one ultraviolet light includes a pluralityof light emitting diodes.
 16. The inline air handler system as set forthin claim 15, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are mountedon a flexible electrical circuit board.
 17. The inline air handlersystem as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a water purificationmechanism that includes an inlet, an ultraviolet radiation chamber, andan outlet, wherein the inlet is connected in fluid relationship to theultraviolet radiation chamber and the outlet is connected in fluidrelationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamber to allow water to flowbetween the inlet and the outlet through the ultraviolet radiationchamber, wherein the ultraviolet radiation chamber is positionedadjacent to the at least one ultraviolet light.
 18. The inline airhandler system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the at least oneultraviolet light includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.
 19. Theinline air handler system as set forth in claim 18, wherein theplurality of light emitting diodes are mounted on a flexible electricalcircuit board.
 20. The inline air handler system as set forth in claim19, wherein the flexible electrical circuit board at least partiallysurrounds the ultraviolet radiation chamber.
 21. The inline air handlersystem as set forth in claim 19, wherein the flexible electrical circuitboard is located within the ultraviolet radiation chamber.
 22. Theinline air handler system as set forth in claim 18, wherein theplurality of light emitting diodes are integral to the ultravioletradiation chamber.
 23. The inline air handler system as set forth inclaim 17, wherein the ultraviolet radiation chamber is a transparenttube with the at least one ultraviolet light positioned on the outsideof the transparent tube.
 24. The inline air handler system as set forthin claim 17, wherein the ultraviolet radiation chamber is a transparentjacket that allows fluid flow on the outside of the at least oneultraviolet light that is positioned within the transparent jacket. 25.The inline air handler system as set forth in claim 17, furthercomprising a first manifold connected between the inlet and theultraviolet radiation chamber and a second manifold connected betweenthe ultraviolet radiation chamber and the outlet.
 26. The inline airhandler system as set forth in claim 17, further comprising an upperreflective shield positioned above the at least one ultraviolet lightand a lower reflective shield positioned below the at least oneultraviolet light.
 27. The inline air handler system as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the at least one electronic output device includes anelectronic display.
 28. The inline air handler system as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the at least one electronic output device is inelectronic communication with the control unit in a group consisting ofwired communication, wireless communication, power line carrier and anycombination thereof.
 29. The inline air handler system as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the at least one electronic output device includes anaudible alarm.
 30. The inline air handler system as set forth in claim1, wherein the at least one electronic input device is in electroniccommunication with the control unit in a group consisting of wiredcommunication, wireless communication, power line carrier and anycombination thereof.
 31. The inline air handler system as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the at least one electronic input device is selectedfrom the group consisting of an electronic thermostat, at least onepushbutton, voice recognition, a television set interface, a securityalarm display, a global computer network enabled appliance, telephone,personal digital assistant, home control interface and a WirelessApplication Protocol enabled device.
 32. The inline air handler systemas set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit is in electroniccommunication with an electronic display and input device through anetwork.
 33. The inline air handler system as set forth in claim 32,wherein the control unit is in electronic communication with anelectronic display and input device through wireless communication tothe network.
 34. The inline air handler system as set forth in claim 32,wherein the network is selected from the group consisting of a localarea network or a wide area network wherein a network communicationarchitecture is selected from the group consisting of point-to-point,star, mesh or star-mesh with protocols selected from the groupconsisting of proprietary, Internet, contention, polled or derivativesthereof.
 35. The inline air handler system as set forth in claim 1,wherein the control unit is in electronic communication with anelectronic display and input device through wireless communication. 36.An inline air handler system comprising: a member; at least one sensor;at least one ultraviolet light operatively attached to the member; atleast one electronic input device; at least one electronic outputdevice; a control unit, which includes a processor, that iselectronically in communication with the at least one sensor, the atleast one ultraviolet light, the at least one electronic input deviceand the at least one electronic output device; and an air filtrationunit, wherein the air filtration unit and the member are positioned in achamber located within an air system selected from the group consistingof a heating system, a ventilation system, an evaporative cooling systemand an air conditioning system and combinations thereof and the airfiltration unit is positioned within the member and the at least onesensor is positioned within the air filtration unit.
 37. The inline airhandler system as set forth in claim 36, wherein the at least one sensorutilizes nanotechnology.
 38. An inline air handler system comprising: amember; at least one sensor operatively attached to the member; at leastone ultraviolet light operatively attached to the member; at least oneelectronic input device; at least one electronic output device; acontrol unit, which includes a processor, that is electronically incommunication with the at least one sensor, the at least one ultravioletlight, the at least one electronic input device and the at least oneelectronic output device; a water purification mechanism that includesan inlet, an ultraviolet radiation chamber, and an outlet, wherein theinlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiationchamber and the outlet is connected in fluid relationship to theultraviolet radiation chamber to allow water to flow between the inletand the outlet through the ultraviolet radiation chamber, wherein theultraviolet radiation chamber is positioned adjacent to the at least oneultraviolet light; and an air filtration unit positioned adjacent to theat least one sensor and the at least one ultraviolet light, wherein theair filtration unit and the member are positioned in a chamber locatedwithin an air system selected from the group consisting of a heatingsystem, a ventilation system, an evaporative cooling system and an airconditioning system, and combinations thereof.
 39. The inline airhandler system as set forth in claim 38, wherein the at least one sensoris selected from the group consisting of a humidity sensor, a bio-toxinsensor, a bacteria sensor, a spore sensor, a virus sensor, a flammablevapor sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a NOxsensor, a radon sensor, a smoke detector, a static pressure sensor, avacuum sensor, an air volumetric sensor and a temperature sensor.
 40. Amethod for utilizing an inline air handler system comprising: utilizingat least one sensor operatively attached to a member; utilizing at leastone ultraviolet light operatively attached to the member; providinginput through at least one electronic input device; filtering airthrough an air filtration unit positioned adjacent to the at least onesensor and the at least one ultraviolet light, wherein the airfiltration unit and the member are positioned in a chamber locatedwithin an air system selected from the group consisting of a heatingsystem, a ventilation system an evaporative cooling system and an airconditioning system, and combinations thereof; and receiving output withat least one electronic output device, wherein a control unit, whichincludes a processor, is electronically in communication with the atleast one sensor, the at least one ultraviolet light, the at least oneelectronic input device and the at least one electronic output device.41. The method for utilizing an inline air handler system as set forthin claim 40, wherein utilizing the at least one sensor operativelyattached to a member includes utilizing at least one sensor selectedfrom the group consisting of a humidity sensor, a bio-toxin sensor, abacteria sensor, a spore sensor, a virus sensor, a flammable vaporsensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a NOx sensor,a radon sensor, a smoke detector, a static pressure sensor, a vacuumsensor, an air volumetric sensor and a temperature sensor.
 42. Themethod for utilizing an inline air handler system as set forth in claim40, wherein the filtering air through an air filtration unit includesutilizing an air filtration unit selected from the group consisting ofpaper, fibrous, foam, electronic, passive electrostatic, activeelectrostatic and ionic types of filters.
 43. The method for utilizingan inline air handler system as set forth in claim 40, furthercomprising filtering water through a water purification mechanism thatincludes an inlet, an ultraviolet radiation chamber, and an outlet,wherein the inlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultravioletradiation chamber and the outlet is connected in fluid relationship tothe ultraviolet radiation chamber thereby allowing water to flow betweenthe inlet and the outlet through the ultraviolet radiation chamber,wherein the ultraviolet radiation chamber is positioned adjacent to theat least one ultraviolet light.
 44. The method for utilizing an inlineair handler system as set forth in claim 40, wherein the providing inputthrough at least one electronic input device includes an input deviceselected from the group consisting of at least one pushbutton, voicerecognition, an electronic thermostat, a television set interface, asecurity alarm display, a global computer network enabled appliance,telephone, personal digital assistant, home control interface and aWireless Application Protocol enabled device.
 45. The method forutilizing an inline air handler system as set forth in claim 40, whereinthe receiving output with at least one electronic output device includesan electronic output device consisting of an audible alarm and anelectronic display and wherein the control unit is in electroniccommunication with the electronic output device through a groupconsisting of wired communication, wireless communication, power linecarrier, at least one wired network, at least one wireless network andany combination thereof.
 46. The method for utilizing an inline airhandler system as set forth in claim 45, wherein the network is selectedfrom the group consisting of a local area network or a wide area networkand a network communication architecture selected from the groupconsisting of point-to-point, star, mesh or star-mesh with protocolsselected from the group consisting of proprietary, Internet, contention,polled or derivatives thereof.
 47. The method for utilizing an inlineair handler system as set forth in claim 40, wherein the at least onesensor utilizes nanotechnology.
 48. A method for utilizing an inline airhandler system comprising: utilizing at least one sensor; utilizing atleast one ultraviolet light operatively attached to the member;providing input through at least one electronic input device; filteringair through an air filtration unit, wherein the air filtration unit andthe member are positioned in a chamber located within an air systemselected from the group consisting of a heating system, a ventilationsystem an evaporative cooling system and an air conditioning system, andcombinations thereof, wherein the air filtration unit is positionedwithin the member and the at least one sensor is positioned within theair filtration unit; and receiving output with at least one electronicoutput device, wherein a control unit, which includes a processor, iselectronically in communication with the at least one sensor, the atleast one ultraviolet light, the at least one electronic input deviceand the at least one electronic output device.
 49. A method forutilizing an inline air handler system comprising: utilizing at leastone sensor operatively attached to a member, wherein the at least onesensor is selected from the group consisting of a humidity sensor, abio-toxin sensor, a bacteria sensor, a spore sensor, a virus sensor, aflammable vapor sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a carbon dioxidesensor, a NOx sensor, a radon sensor, a smoke detector, a staticpressure sensor, a vacuum sensor and a temperature sensor; utilizing atleast one ultraviolet light operatively attached to the member;providing input through at least one electronic input device; filteringair through an air filtration unit positioned adjacent to the at leastone sensor and the at least one ultraviolet light, wherein the airfiltration unit and the member are positioned in a chamber locatedwithin an air system selected from the group consisting of a heatingsystem, a ventilation system, an evaporative cooling system and an airconditioning system, and combinations thereof and the air filtrationunit is selected from the group consisting of paper, fibrous, foam,electronic, passive electrostatic, active electrostatic and ionic typesof filters; receiving output from at least one electronic output device,wherein a control unit, which includes a processor, is electronically incommunication with the at least one sensor, the at least one ultravioletlight, the at least one electronic input device and the at least oneelectronic output device; and filtering water through a waterpurification mechanism that includes an inlet, an ultraviolet radiationchamber, and an outlet, wherein the inlet is connected in fluidrelationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamber and the outlet isconnected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamberthereby allowing water to flow between the inlet and the outlet throughthe ultraviolet radiation chamber, wherein the ultraviolet radiationchamber is positioned adjacent to the at least one ultraviolet light.